CVE-2001-0949 in Enterprise Validation Authority
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflows in forms.exe CGI program in ValiCert Enterprise Validation Authority (EVA) Administration Server 3.3 through 4.2.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via long arguments to the parameters (1) Mode, (2) Certificate_File, (3) useExpiredCRLs, (4) listenLength, (5) maxThread, (6) maxConnPerSite, (7) maxMsgLen, (8) exitTime, (9) blockTime, (10) nextUpdatePeriod, (11) buildLocal, (12) maxOCSPValidityPeriod, (13) extension, and (14) a particular combination of parameters associated with private key generation that form a string of a certain length.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0949 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the forms.exe CGI program of ValiCert Enterprise Validation Authority (EVA) Administration Server versions 3.3 through 4.2.1. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or limit the length of user-supplied parameters passed to the vulnerable application. The buffer overflow occurs when remote attackers submit excessively long arguments to any of the identified parameters including Mode, Certificate_File, useExpiredCRLs, listenLength, maxThread, maxConnPerSite, maxMsgLen, exitTime, blockTime, nextUpdatePeriod, buildLocal, maxOCSPValidityPeriod, extension, and specific combinations related to private key generation. The flaw manifests as a classic stack-based buffer overflow condition that can be exploited to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected service.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite stack data structures. The attack vector is remote and requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the network. The specific parameters listed represent common configuration and operational parameters within certificate management systems, making this attack surface particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise certificate authority infrastructure. The combination of parameters associated with private key generation adds additional complexity to the exploitation process, as attackers must craft payloads that manipulate multiple input vectors simultaneously to achieve successful code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a complete compromise of the certificate authority server's integrity and confidentiality. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to generate fraudulent certificates, impersonate legitimate entities, or disrupt certificate validation services that depend on the EVA server. This type of compromise aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and control through CGI scripts, and T1566 for initial access via web application vulnerabilities. Organizations relying on ValiCert EVA servers for certificate management would face significant risk of credential theft, man-in-the-middle attacks, and widespread certificate trust violations that could affect numerous downstream systems and services. The vulnerability affects the core administrative functions of the certificate authority, potentially enabling attackers to modify certificate revocation lists, manipulate certificate attributes, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive cryptographic materials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0949 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, as this vulnerability was addressed through vendor updates that implemented proper input validation and buffer size restrictions. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the affected CGI endpoints, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual parameter patterns in web requests. Input validation should be implemented at multiple layers including application-level sanitization, web application firewalls, and network-based intrusion detection systems. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their certificate management infrastructure to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other components and ensure that all web applications implement proper bounds checking mechanisms. The remediation process must also include comprehensive testing to ensure that patches do not introduce regressions in legitimate administrative functionality while maintaining the security improvements necessary to prevent exploitation.